Oregon’s men’s basketball program revealed a significant staff reshuffle this week, naming Markhuri Sanders‑Frison as its new Director of Player Development, Recruitment and External Relations. The move comes as veteran assistant coach Kevin McKenna announced his retirement after sixteen years of service with the Ducks.
A seasoned builder returns to the Pacific Northwest
Sanders‑Frison brings a global perspective that spans nine professional seasons in Mexico, Australia and Japan, where he captured back‑to‑back NBDL titles with Tokyo Excellence and earned MVP honors. His coaching résumé includes stints as a graduate assistant at Oregon, an assistant at the University of Idaho, and a player‑development role with the Chinese Senior National Team, giving him a rare blend of on‑court experience and international insight.
A 2011 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in American Studies, Sanders‑Frison later earned a master’s in higher‑education leadership from Oregon. He now combines his academic background with basketball expertise to shape the Ducks’ roster construction and outreach strategies.
McKenna’s legacy and the road ahead
Kevin McKenna’s departure marks the end of an era that featured nine NCAA Tournament appearances and the program’s first Final Four run in 78 years in 2017. Over his sixteen‑year tenure, McKenna was instrumental in player development, scouting and community engagement, laying groundwork that the new leadership hopes to build upon.
Athletic director Rob Mullens praised both moves, stating that Sanders‑Frison’s extensive playing and coaching background aligns perfectly with Oregon’s ambition to recruit top talent while emphasizing academic excellence. McKenna’s retirement, he added, opens space for fresh ideas while honoring a career that reshaped the Ducks’ national profile.
The university’s basketball program, housed within the College of Arts and Sciences and supported by the broader athletic department, will look to leverage Sanders‑Frison’s connections across Asia and North America to strengthen recruiting pipelines and deepen fan engagement as the team prepares for the upcoming season.